Abstract: A paper feed apparatus comprises a paper feed section, a separation section, a rotating body and a control device. The paper feed section feeds an image receiving medium that is placed. The separation section is arranged at a downstream side of the paper feed section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. If a plurality of the image receiving media fed from the paper feed section is overlapped, the separation section separates the plurality of the image receiving media that is overlapped. The rotating body is arranged at the upstream side of the separation section in the conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. The rotating body is capable of contacting with the placed image receiving medium. The rotating body is rotatable. The control device carries out control to rotate the rotating body at least before an operation of the paper feed section.

Abstract: An end effector assembly including an elongate arm plate and one or more manifold cradle assemblies movable along the elongate arm plate. The one or more manifold cradle assemblies are repositionable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second spaced-apart configuration, and at least one engagement member is provided with each manifold cradle assembly that can be oriented in either a picking orientation or a placing orientation.

Abstract: In a system for transferring a plate-shaped member with interleaving paper thereon, a suction adhesion device included in a suction adhesion unit includes suction pads that adhere to a surface of a glass plate by suction with interleaving paper in between the surface and the suction pads; an air blowing device blows air between the adhered glass plate and a glass plate positioned below the adhered glass plate; a robot moves the suction adhesion unit; a clamping device includes a pair of pushing members that are arranged at both sides, respectively, of the glass plates and move toward the glass plates to come close to each other; and at least before the suction adhesion unit lifts the adhered glass plate, a controller causes the pair of pushing members to move to push protruding portions of pieces of interleaving paper, the protruding portions protruding from the sides of the glass plates.

Abstract: A paper separating device for separating a paper sheet includes a frame member, an image carrier, a securing plate, and two types of assemblies. The two types of assemblies include: a first assembly that includes a separation claw configured to separate the paper sheet from the image carrier, a guiding member configured to guide the paper sheet, and a holder with an engaging portion; and a second assembly that engages the guiding member alone to the holder with the engaging portion without holding the separation claw. The frame member and the securing plate each include an assembly securing portion with an engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging portion of the holder. One of the two types of assemblies is secured to the assembly securing portion disposed at the securing plate while another is secured to the assembly securing portion disposed at the frame member.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including separating members in a conveyance direction of sheets conveyed from a paper tray, the separating members being configured to separate the sheets one by one. The separating members include an upward regulating member configured to regulate a central part of a sheet in a width direction in a manner that the central part of the sheet points upward, and downward regulating members on both sides of the upward regulating member, the downward regulating members each being configured to regulate both ends of the sheet in the width direction in a manner that both ends of the sheet point downward. A position of an upper end of the upward regulating member is higher than a position of a lower end of each downward regulating member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, first and second branch paths of a decoloring apparatus are formed downstream in a sheet conveying direction of a reading section in a conveying path. A diverting section is provided at a branch point of the first and second branch paths in the conveying path. A control section determines on the basis of image data whether decoloring processing should be applied to a sheet, diverts, if determining that the decoloring processing should be applied to the sheet, the sheet to the first branch path with the diverting section, and diverts, if determining that the decoloring processing should not be applied to the sheet, the sheet to the second branch path with the diverting section. A decoloring section is provided between the reading section and the branch point in the conveying path and heats the sheet to decolor an image formed with a decolorable color material.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet supporting portion, a sheet feeding portion, and a movable regulating portion. The sheet feeding portion feeds a sheet bundle uppermost sheet. The movable regulating portion is disposed downstream of the sheet bundle in a sheet feeding direction such that the movable regulating portion is tiltable between a regulation position and a regulation release position. While the movable regulating portion regulates the sheet bundle movement in the regulation position, the sheet feeding portion forms a loop in the uppermost sheet between the sheet feeding portion and the movable regulating portion, the movable regulating portion is moved to the regulation release position after loop formation to remove the formed loop, and the movable regulating portion is returned to the regulation position after loop removal such that the movable regulating portion raises the uppermost sheet leading end to separate the uppermost sheet from other sheets.

Abstract: A sheet separator and apparatus utilizing the same for separating media sheets in an image forming device. The apparatus includes a supporting member for supporting a stack of media sheets, a pick assembly to pick media sheets and to feed the media sheets to a processing assembly of the image forming device, and a media dam having at least one sheet separator. Each sheet separator includes a casing inclined at a predetermined angle to the supporting member, a biasing member and a base member slidable within the casing. A plurality of detents in the form of steps or teeth are provided on a sheet receiving surface of the base member and the biasing member act to separate a top most media sheet from an adjacent media sheet to prevent double feeding of media sheets.

Abstract: A transport device includes a stopper which comes into contact with a target ahead of a guide surface of a guide member and regulates movement of the target and a slider which slides by contact of the target with the stopper. The stopper has a first regulation surface with which the target comes into contact ahead of the guide surface of the guide member, and a second regulation surface which regulates the movement of the target which moves along the first regulation surface. A damper mechanism is connected to the slider and has a damper force that weakens kinetic energy by the target that the stopper receives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack.

Abstract: A tuned media buckler comprises a body made of a plastic material, a rib extending from the upper surface of the body with an overall flat configuration and uniform rigidity with the rib running along the upper surface and centrally lengthwise along the body, a spring force material backing the lower surface of the body opposite to the rib that compresses against the lower surface of the body in response to the generally normal force applied to the top edge surface of the rib by a media stack, and a housing having a central aperture running lengthwise of the housing such that the rib of the media buckler extends through the aperture for engagement by a media stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for storing a slip-sheet removed from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates. A materials handling system separates a slip-sheet from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack. The slip-sheets removed from the stack are stored in a movable slip-sheet holder.

Abstract: A removal system for removing an interleaf sheet that is interposed between plate sheets in an imaging system, wherein said removal system contains a substantially horizontal member, at least two roller assemblies, a disposal roller assembly, a rail assembly, and at least one springing roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates. A media combination is separated from a media stack, including image recordable materials and a slip-sheet, is separated. The media combination is gripped and flexed in a direction, and then flexed in a second direction.

Abstract: A sheet picking system for picking a sheet of media includes a power source having a driveshaft. A first housing arm containing a drive gear is drivably coupled to the driveshaft. The drive gear defines a first pivot axis for the first housing arm, wherein the drive gear is driven by the driveshaft to rotate about the first pivot axis. A second housing arm contains an intermediate gear, a transmission device, and a pick roller. The transmission device is configured to rotatably couple the intermediate gear to the pick roller. The intermediate gear is positioned to be meshed with the drive gear. The intermediate gear defines a second pivot axis for the second housing arm. A link mechanism pivotably couples the first housing arm at the first pivot axis to the second housing arm at the second pivot axis.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for feeding out end sheets from a stack of sheets comprises that a driver acting against the end sheet of the stack (1) first displaces the end sheet in the plane thereof toward a support for elastic bulging of the end sheet, and then displaces the buckled end sheet away from the support, to a separating arrangement for the separation of sheets that unintentionally are accompanying the end sheet (21) fed out. The driver being carried by a spring arrangement, which offers an increasing support force to the driver upon the advancement of the stack by means of a pusher acting against the rear end of the stack. A sensor detects the displacement position of the driver, and activates the driver for a sheet-outfeed operation when the distance sensor detects a displacement position of the driver corresponding to a predetermined abutment force of the driver against the end sheet. Between the sheet-outfeed operations, the pusher is unloaded.

Abstract: A value sheet handling apparatus comprises an actuating mechanism for exerting pressure onto a value sheet so as to move the value sheet, and further comprises detecting means to detect movement of the value sheet with respect to the actuating mechanism, wherein if the detecting means ascertains that the value sheet has not been moved by the actuating mechanism the pressure exerted Onto die flexible media is increased until motion of the value sheet is detected. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure is varied in dependence on the type of the value sheet. The value sheet is dispensed from a stack by buckling the sheet, the rest of the stack being gripped in the area exposed by the buckling of the sheet.

Abstract: A folding mechanism couples to a printing mechanism and receives media for folding therein.

Abstract: A paper feeding cassette for an image forming apparatus includes an inclined supporter including an inclined plate fixedly disposed in a cassette body and a support plate for reciprocating, a separation guide including a fixing guide fixedly supported on the inclined plate and a moving guide movably supported on the support plate, and a reciprocating unit reciprocating the support plate. Accordingly, the moving guide selectively comes into contact with a sheet such that a friction resistance generated at a front end of the sheet varies in a degree in accordance with a type of the sheet.

Abstract: In accordance with printer-control method and printer-control apparatus according to the present invention, in speed control for a paper-supply motor from the time when a paper-supply roller starts a paper-supply operation to the time when an upper end of a printing paper abuts against a paper-feed roller and a driven roller thereof and then the paper-supply motor is stopped with the upper end portion of the printing paper being nipped by the paper-feed roller and the driven roller thereof, when a difference between a target speed and a current speed in a constant speed section under feedback control becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a proportional gain coefficient used for speed control calculation is changed to a value which is larger than an usual value.

Abstract: A method for dismantling a stack (1) of flat objects (2, 3) piece by piece, in which the top object (2) of the stack (1) is moved in its plane, gripped at its freed edge and removed from the stack (1). The top object (2) is moved against a stop (5), at least in the region of one of its corners (2b), by a movable separating element (6, 6′) and, as a result of further movement, is bent in such a way that it escapes from the stop (5) and is moved out of the stack (1). The invention further relates to an apparatus for dismantling a stack (1) of flat objects (2, 3) piece by piece.

Abstract: A buckle chute having a deflector disposed in front thereof to allow a sheet of document to enter the buckle chute channel or to deflect the sheet away from the channel. The deflector is pivotally linked to two actuator arms on the left and right sides of the buckle chute. Each actuator arm is pivotally linked to a bell crank, which is also pivotally linked to a linking member. The linking members are further connected to a lever such that they can be moved in opposite directions from left to right or from right to left so as to cause the bell cranks to rotate in opposite directions. As such, the actuator arms are simultaneously moved toward or away from the front side to control the deflector position.

Abstract: A method and a device for separating the sheets of a stack are described. At least one flexing device engages at the top sheet of the stack, tensioning or arching the edges of the top sheet. This creates a clearance between the top sheet and a second, lower sheet. A separating edge is inserted into said clearance so that the top sheet can be removed by a transport arrangement.

Abstract: Spring nail (32, 34, 72, 96) for a sheet feeding device (10). The spring nail (32, 34, 72, 96) has a mounting end (36, 74) for attaching to the sheet feeding device (10) and a free end (38, 78) opposite the mounting end (36, 74), the free end (38, 78) being disposed to engage a top sheet (16) of a stack of sheets (14) to be fed and exert a resilient biasing force thereagainst to form a loop or bow in the top sheet (16) for separating the top sheet (16) from the stack (14) when the top sheet (16) is to be removed from the stack (14). The spring nails (32, 34, 72, 96) are preferably positioned for engaging the respective leading corners (28, 30) of the top sheet (16) and each has a spring arm portion (40, 80) between the mounting end (36, 74) and the free end (38, 78) having properties of a spring for resiliently biasing the free end (38, 78) against the top sheet (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing slip sheets from printing plates has two concentric cylinders that are mutually rotatable about a common axis. Suction exerted via two elongated slots separates a deformable sheet from a relatively rigid object to which it is adhered. The deformable sheet is drawn into a recess presented by the two aligned slots. The concentric cylinders are then rotated to grip the deformable sheet between opposing edges of the slots.

Abstract: A device for preventing a slip-down of sheets of paper contained in an automatic sheet feeding section obliquely mounted in an ink jet printer is provided. The device includes a buckler body having a plate in contact with a bottom of sheets loaded in the automatic sheet feeding section, a guide projection formed at one side of an upper surface of the buckler body for jumping up a sheet located at the top of the loaded sheets, and at least one or more jack buckler having a plurality of teeth each having a slide side and a threshold side, the slide side guiding the sheet located at the top loaded sheets while the threshold side holds remaining sheets beneath the sheet guided by the slide side.

Abstract: A foil remover for removing one or more sheets of foil from an underlying hard surface. The foil remover includes a movable carrier and at least one gripper attached to the carrier. The gripper includes many pinching fingers, each of the fingers oriented approximately perpendicular to the hard surface and ending with a tip. The foil remover operates with respect to each of the grippers to bring the tips, mutually apart, in contact with the top sheet of foil and causes the tips to approach each other, and to pinch the sheets.

Abstract: A suction device for feeding sheets of material comprises a housing (38) connectable by a pipe (40) to a vacuum device and having apertures (54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 58) through which a suction effect can be created. An eccentric roller (46) imparts a corrugation to the attracted sheet. The apertures are shaped and located so that there is a boost in the suction exerted on the sheet at the time that it is distorted. Continuous and pulsed air flows are used as well as aids to separate sheets individually from a stack.

Abstract: A stacked-paper dispenser in which a stack of paper is accommodated for dispensing a piece of paper is provided with: an accommodating member for accommodating the stack of paper therein; a stacked-paper placing base on which the stack of paper is placed, the stacked paper placing base being fitted in the accommodating member and adapted to be resiliently raised upward; a cover having an opening portion for dispensing the piece of paper; and a paper dispensing device including a bearing member capable of reciprocating in a longitudinal direction on an inner surface side of the cover, a roller member which is axially supported by the bearing member and which is nonrotatable in the movement in an advancing direction of the bearing member and rotatable in a returning direction, and a thumb slider for operating the bearing member from outside the cover.

Abstract: A fabric piece handling apparatus for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The fabric piece handling apparatus includes a pickup assembly having a pair of opposed jaws, a "trapeze" unfolder assembly adjacent to the pickup assembly, and a vacuum assisted magazine for supplying a stack of fabric pieces to the pickup assembly.

Abstract: A fabric panel loader for automatically feeding a fabric panel from a stack of fabric pieces to a work station. The apparatus includes a fabric pickup assembly for removing the fabric panel from the stack of fabric pieces and transferring the panel to a smoothing table. The smoothing table receives the fabric panel and automatically moves the fabric panel from the stack of fabric pieces to a predetermined orientation. A panel loader removes the fabric panel from the table and transfers the panel to the work station.

Abstract: A pickup device for use with a fabric piece handling system for picking up and placing fabric pieces. The device includes a frame and a pair of opposed jaws moveably attached at one end to the frame. The head portion of each opposed jaw includes a fabric contact surface having an array of fabric engaging teeth for urging a portion of the fabric piece into a bunched condition for pickup and a gripping surface adjacent to the fabric contact surface for engagement with the other opposed jaw for picking up the fabric piece. A fluid operated piston is attached between the frame and the pair of opposed jaws for moving the pair of opposed jaws between a first position wherein the pair of opposed jaws are in an unobstructed open position to allow a piece of cloth to freely pass into a position between the pair of opposed jaws and a second position wherein the pair of opposed jaws are in an operative clamping position with respect to each other to clamp a piece of cloth therebetween.

Abstract: An entrance structure for introducing a continuous form paper from a paper feeder into a printer, and comprises an entrance forming member disposed above a front end of the paper feeder and having a sloped guide surface defining an entrance opening for the paper. The sloped guide surface is constituted such that although a leading edge portion of the paper set in the paper feeder is pushed upward, the raised leading edge portion thereof can pass smoothly through the entrance opening.

Abstract: A fabric pickup device useful for a fabric handling system. The fabric pickup device includes a fluid operated cylinder and piston having four individual fabric clutches attached to the cylinder and aligned with and substantially equality spaced apart from the axis of the piston. Each clutch has a head portion having a plurality, preferably four, resilient pickup fingers spaced apart from one another. A substantially flat actuator plate is attached to the free end of the piston and is oriented perpendicular to the axis of the piston. The actuator plate has a series of apertures for receiving the individual pickup fingers. The openings in the actuator plate are sized such that when the plate is retracted by the action of the fluid cylinder, the resilient fingers of each pickup finger separate and, when the plate is extended, the finger are brought together to grip the top surface of a fabric piece.

Abstract: A sheet feeding method and apparatus particularly suited to handling plastic sheets having a tendency to adhere to each other under electrostatic action, in which the uppermost sheet of a stack is fed by first lifting the rear edge of the sheet into a generally arcuate configuration and translating a lifting member forwardly under the lifted rear edge to progressively separate the uppermost sheet from the rest of the stack. The lifting members preferably in the form of an idler roller which translates to a position in cooperation with a drive roller so that the sheet becomes sandwiched between the tow rollers for final feeding from the stack. The mechanism features a pick assembly particularly suited for engaging and lifting the rear edge of each sheet into a predictable arcuate configuration.

Abstract: An automated system for selectively providing a limp material segment, e.g., fabric, to a joining apparatus includes at least one picker actuation mechanism ("PAM") for manipulating and transporting the segment. The PAM has an end effector for picking up the segment and an independently operable clamp for holding the segment while the PAM itself is transported between work stations.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism for feeding single sheets from a stack of sheets in a feed tray is adapted to feed such sheets, even though the sheets may be bowed, curved, or wavy in a direction transverse to the process or feed direction. The mechanism includes a pad support body. A plurality of individual sheet-engaging pressure pads are mounted on a lower surface of the body by connecting webs. The connecting webs have a fore and aft axis in the process direction and bend to permit the individual pads to move in the transverse direction so that the lower friction surface of the pad will conform to the non-planar or curved surface of the sheet to be fed from the stack of sheets.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for providing an instant film system for transmission electron microscopes includes a film carrier and film unit handling apparatus compatable with existing TEM equipment. Film carrier plates, each standardized to accept an instant film sheet and to subsequently enable automatic separation of the latter, are varied in exterior configuration to conform to each type of TEM unit, and a single processor is provided for handling film processing with carrier plates utilized in any of the TEM units. The carrier plates are standardized to enable automated separation of individual exposed film sheets from the respective carrier plates in the processor, and a transfer base or transfer box is provided to cooperate with the receiver box of a given TEM design and with the processor which includes a reciprocating slide feed mechanism by which each individual film unit is ejected from the box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for gripping layers of flexible material, comprising a head (14) provided with a contact surface, a clearance (16) in the said surface, a needle (103) mobile with respect to the head, a thin groove (15) in the head and kinematic guide means for the needle in the plane of the groove (15). According to the present invention the contact surface is provided with a step (102) and has a recessed area (100) and a protruding area (101). Two contact pins (110, 111) are in a preferred embodiment located either side of the groove (15) level with the recessed area. These measures improve the superficial catching conditions of the upper layer of the flexible material to be seized and avoid the risk of seizing the layer below.

Abstract: Processes for removing the top ply from a stack of plies, such as layers of fabric, in which an element engages the stack and moves relative to the ply to be removed along the face of said ply while pressure is inserted by the element on the stack in such a way that this is locally dented. The element used to engage the ply is provided with a smooth surface. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method having a single hollow element which is provided with suction openings or blow openings and can be moved perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The feeder has a device which reciprocates across the bottom of a stack of articles so as to separate and feed the lowermost article of the stack during each feeding stroke of the device. The device has a pair of elongated members which extend in the direction of feed and are provided with friction padding along their uppermost surfaces for making firm contact with the article to be fed. Such members, working together as an integral unit, rise up into engagement with the article to slightly raise it along the engaged portions thereof above the rest of the device as the forward stroke is commenced, thereby warping the article along the leading edge thereof as such leading edge is at the same time tucked beneath a confining element at the front of the stack which is strategically spaced above the device a distance which permits the passage of only the lowermost article during each feed stroke.

Abstract: A sheet feeding mechanism for feeding individual sheets of material, such as for example microfiche folders, is disclosed which includes a tray mounted in a frame and having a pivoted bottom wall. A pair of sheet retaining claws are pivotally mounted on the tray and positioned at the corners thereof at the front of the open front edge of the tray to normally block movement of the sheet in a stack supported on the bottom wall from moving forwardly out of the tray. The bottom wall is spring biased upwardly, and an advancing device is provided for advancing individual sheets from the top of the stack. The advancing device includes a rotating cam having a sector shape enlargement formed thereon for engaging the top sheet of the stack as the cam rotates. The enlargement urges the stack downwardly against the spring bias on the pivoted bottom wall while also urging the top sheet in the stack in the direction of the rotation of the cam.

Abstract: A process for gripping flexible layers arranged in a stack of layers in order to separate one or more upper layers from the other layers of the stack makes use of a needle (23) moving with respect to a contact surface (14a) with a clearance (16). The motion of the needle (23) is implemented in such a manner that during the displacement of its end, said needle thrusts the upper flexible layer toward the clearance (16) to form a corrugation in said clearance; during the final stage of the motion, the needle crosses said corrugation.

Abstract: An improved material pick-up device to allow sheets of material of varying texture and resiliency to be picked up and moved without piercing and without damage thereto. A pair of support members having saw-tooth shaped projections thereon are guided and supported to be relatively reciprocated along side by side paths to move the projections together and apart. The reciprocation is carefully controlled and adjusted by an adjusting device cooperably with the device powering the reciprocation so that the spacing of the respective pairs of teeth in the support members may be carefully controlled to define a gripping position and a release position. Thus, the gripping position may be varied in accordance with the texture and resiliency of the material to be gripped such that the surface of the material is pinched without piercing and can be moved without damage thereto. In one embodiment, a pair of coaxial cylindrical supports are nested together and one rotates relative to the other.

Abstract: A cloth gripping device including a pressing member having a portion for pressing a cloth to grip the same and a claw member for cooperating with the pressing member to grip the cloth therebetween. A pressing face is formed on the bottom of the pressing member for pressing the cloth. A retracted face is located at a position retracted by a distance corresponding to the thickness of a single cloth from the pressing face relative to the cloth. A substantially vertical gripping wall is provided by a step between the pressing face and the retracted face. A gripping groove is formed which is sufficiently wide but not too wide to receive a bent portion of the cloth therein when only one cloth is picked up adjacent a boundary between the pressing face and the retracted face. The retracted face includes a guide groove formed therein for guiding the claw member toward the gripping groove.

Abstract: A paper strip dispenser unit is disposed below a food slice receiving surface of food slicing machine. The dispenser is in the form of an elongate container having an upturned open side of which the stack of paper is fanned out to enable individual strips of paper to be withdrawn over the surface to receive sliced food.

Abstract: A device including unpiling apparatus of the gripper type, each gripper including a pick-up beak, the fixed plate of the gripper being rigid with a carriage movable on a horizontal guide, this carriage being coupled to the piston rod of a fixed fluid-operated cylinder and adapted to transfer the sheet or web picked up by the beak from one pick-up station to the treatment station. It further includes apparatus for causing the pick-up beak to grip the web by turns in a first and a second positions, the second gripping position causing the picked-up web to be turned upside down.